Kostel Svateho Vita (Church of Saint Vitus), Cesky Krumlov (must see)

The Church of Saint Vitus plays a vital role in shaping the city's skyline alongside the castle tower, which represents secular authority. These two landmarks coexist harmoniously and reflect the unique artistic character of Cesky Krumlov.

Built between 1407 and 1439, the Church of St. Vitus has undergone various modifications over the centuries. It was constructed on the foundations of an earlier church dating back to 1309. The Gothic entrance portal, which graces the church's facade, was added in 1410. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the church underwent expansion and alterations to its original structure.

The church itself features a three-nave hall with an elongated, pentagonally shaped presbytery. On either side of the presbytery, you'll find rectangular sacristies and chapels dedicated to the Resurrection and St. Jan Nepomucký. There is also an antechamber with an entrance portal on the north side of the church. The west facade of the church boasts a tower adorned with prismatic Romanesque windows on the ground floor and octagonal windows on the upper levels. The tower's topmost floor, added in 1893-1894, exhibits pseudo-Gothic elements, serving as a later addition to the structure.

In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the Church of St. Vitus was designated a National Cultural Monument in 1995. It stands as a testament to the city's rich heritage and the enduring influence of ecclesiastical power in the region.